The Elon Phoenix will open the 2026 football season on the evening of August 27, when they welcome Glenville State to Rhodes Stadium in Elon, North Carolina, kicking off at 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
It will be the first time the two programs have ever faced each other, and the first midweek home contest for Elon since 1995, underscoring the significance of the matchup.
Elon arrives after a 6‑6 campaign in 2025, a season that extended the team’s streak of five consecutive campaigns with a .500 or better record in Colonial Athletic Association play.
First‑year head coach Jake Casteel, hired on December 8, 2025, brings a fresh perspective after a stint as an assistant at the University of Texas, and he will be looking to imprint his philosophy on a roster that returns a wealth of experience.
At quarterback, sophomore Brady Stober, who transferred from Samford where he appeared in ten games and started five, is expected to lead a potent offense that also features running back Jimmyll Williams, who amassed 673 rushing yards last season, and a deep backfield that includes Dan Frederick and freshman Kamerin McDowell‑Moore.
The defense will be anchored by senior linebacker Brodie Carroll, a preseason All‑American who topped the team with 104 tackles in 2025, while kicker Luke Barnes, an All‑America honoree, will handle special‑teams duties after earning preseason All‑CAA and FCS second‑team recognitions.
The game represents the lone non‑Saturday slot on Elon’s 12‑game schedule, which includes six home contests, and it will be followed by a series of conference battles that could shape the team’s postseason aspirations.
A Historic First Meeting
Beyond the storyline of a new coach and emerging talent, the contest marks a symbolic milestone as the Phoenix meet a Mountain East Conference opponent for the second time, having previously defeated West Virginia Wesleyan in 2013.
Fans can expect a lively atmosphere as the stadium lights shine on a midweek night, with the team’s defensive depth and offensive versatility promising a competitive showing.